Modular furniture construction



G. S. FASANELLA MODULAR FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 24, 1967 Filed Oct. 21, 1965 I Geage flil mrzew 39.- 0AM 7% Wm Oct. 24, 1967 G. s. FASANELLA 3,348,244

MODULAR FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Filed 00121, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jade/22%? Geazge cifiarzela/ Oct. 24, 1967 s. s. FASANELLA 3,348,244

MODULAR FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 21, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet s a a J01 J04 J09 108 620596 ki j/warzem fl/sm w le W ct. 24, 197 G. s. FASANELLA 3,348,244

MODULAR FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 21, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 7/ 35 J7 J6 110 5g 1 l A fl I 3:31;; liimml i '1 i l g i I l 1' -r I I L l 12 i E I 7192 5 l JZiarzelb wfl wzwm a WWW! w hirf 0.

United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLUSURE A furniture module in which a headboard and a footboard are firmly secured in upright position by cooperating cam means and progressively engageable fasteners.

This invention relates to furniture construction and more particularly to a modular bed and convertible couch construction.

The present practice, in constructing furniture such as beds, sofas, couches and the like, is to design each piece of furniture as a separate and distinct unit. The various structural components, other than casters, nails, etc., are not interchangeable between the separate pieces of furniture. Each piece of furniture must be constructed from its own separate source of structural elements. The various elements of the different pieces of furniture each have their own distinct physical characteristics. The manufacturer must, therefore, maintain a relatively large inventory of structural materials which are usable only in the particular piece of furniture for which they are designed.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a basic furniture module which can be adapted for use in several distinct furniture pieces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a basic module which can be adapted for use as a bed, sofa, or convertible couch.

Another object of the present invention is to provide supplemental elements which can be easily attached to a basic module to form various articles of furniture.

. .For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional perspective view of the basic module;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bed utilizing the module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along the line 33 of -FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view of one of the side connections;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sofa utilizing the basic module;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 in FIG. 6;

vFIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a convertible couch which utilizes the basic module;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bolster I of the convertible couch of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a detail perspective view of the underside of the furniture module used in the convertible couch;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bolster support frame;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the couch of FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view of the bolster support track; and

FIG. 17 is a detailed sectional view of the roller mountmg.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 the basic furniture module. As is seen in FIG. 1, the basic module comprises a box having two end boards 20 and two side rails 22. There are a pair of side rail angles 24 attached to the upper surface of the side rails 22, which angles 24 have a series of equally spaced holes through the upper flanges thereof. Springs 26 are stretched between the two side rail angles 24 and are connected to the holes 28 in the angles (see FIG. 3). The side rail angles 24 are braced against the spring force by the cross braces 30 which are attached to the side rail angles 24, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10.

Additional angle irons 35 are secured to the end boards and extend between and overlap the ends of the side rails 22. The end boards are recessed at 31 and the side rails 22 are recessed at 32 to receive the end board angles 35 so that the surfaces of the angles are flush with the surfaces of the end boards.

Attached to each of the end boards 20 are end plates 36. Each of the end plates 36 has a lock strap 38 attached thereto. It should be noted that the side rail angles 24 and end board angles 35 are connected together to form a solid structural frame for the side rails 22 and end board 24 The basic module of FIG. 1 is a separate and complete unit in itself. The module is constructed so that it may be readily utilized in several pieces of furniture, as will be explained in greater detail later. Since the module can be utilized in a variety of furniture pieces, the inventory requirements of a manufacturer who uses the basic module construction, of my invention, need only have an inventory of basic modules and the various elements to be attached to the module itself. A manufacturer who utilizes the modular method of furniture construction also obtains a great deal of flexibility, in that he can readily assemble a desired one of a plurality of furniture pieces by merely attaching supplemental furniture elements to the basic module. Thus, fluctuations in the demands for the different pieces of furniture may be readily met, while maintaining a minimum inventory.

In FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of a bed wherein the basic module of FIG. 1 is utilized and a mattress 39 is positioned on the basic module. There are attached to the basic module end members which may be designated as a headboard 40 and footboard 42 for a bed. The two end members are attached as shown in FIG. 4. There is a locking plate 44 having a downwardly and laterally inclined end or cam portion attached to the headboard and footboard. The locking plate 44 is located in a recess 46 of the headboard or footboard. This recess positions the locking plate 44 relative to the locking strap 38, so that the locking plate 44 will slide into the outwardly extending portion of the locking strap 38. The inclined end portions of the plate 44 provide a cam action which draws the end members 40 and 42 firmly against the ends of the unit or module. Once the locking plate has been positioned in the locking strap, a plurality of bolts 46 are utilized to hold the headboard or footboard of the bed in position against the end plate 36. The bolts 46 are screwed into T-nuts 48 which are recessed into the head and footboards at predetermined locations.

The bed of FIG. 2 also utilizes a pair of side boards 50 which are bolted to the siderails 2 of the bed by bolts 52, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Spacers 54 are utilized to hold the side boards 50 out from side rails 22 as is done by the side rail angle 24. T-nuts 56 are recessed into the side boards 50 at predetermined locations which are aligned with holes 57 in the side rails 22 adapted to receive the bolts 52. The side boards 50 may, if desired, have padding similar to that shown at 58 in. FIG. 3, which padding 58 covers the T-nuts 56 and provided the desired decorative effect. The top surface of the side boards 50 and the side rail angle 24 are covered by a cover plate 60 to protect the mattress 39 and bedding from the spring connections in the holes 28. The lower portions of the side boards 50 extend below the side rail 22.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the bed of FIG. 2 is constructed by attaching a head and footboard to the two ends of the module of FIG. 1, through the use of the locking straps 38 and locking plates 44. The side boards are attached by the use of bolts 52. The T-nuts in the side boards 50 are pre-positioned so as to line up with the holes 57 in side rails 22.

The sofa of FIG. 6 also uses the basic module structure shown in FIG. 1. The same footboard and headboard are used as for the bed of FIG. 2. However, a different footboard and headboard could be used. The front side board 50 is also the same as is used for the bed of FIG. 2. The back unit 63 of the sofa is made up of a back member 64, back board 68 and support posts 70 (see FIG. 8). The back unit 63 of the sofa is attached to the vertical posts 66 of the headboard 40 and footboard 42 in the manner described below.

The back board 68 replaces the back side board 50 which was utilized in the bed of FIG. 2. The back board 68 differs from the back side board 50 only in the support posts 70 which are attached to it. The back board 68 has T-nuts 69 recessed at the same locations as in the back side boards 50. The back member 64, support posts 70 and back board 68, form an integral unit 63 which is attached to the basic module of FIG. 1. The back unit 63 is attached to the posts 66 by screws 72 through the end support posts 74, as is shown in FIG. 9. From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the sofa of FIG. 6 may easily be constructed from the same basic elements as used for the bed of FIG. 2, with the addition of a back unit 63. Since the T-nuts 69 of the back board 68 are in the same location as the T-nuts 56 of the side board 59, the sofa of FIG. 6 may be constructed by bolting the back unit 63 to the basic module of the bed of FIG. 2.

The convertible couch shown in FIG. 11 uses the basic module of FIG. 1. The couch has two side members 76 which can, if desired, be the same members as utilized for the headboard and footboard of the bed of FIG. 2. The two side members 76 are attached to the basic module of FIG. 1 in the same manner as the headboard and footboard of thebed of FIG. 2. The convertible couch of FIG. 11 is assembled by adding a movable bolster 78 so that the couch may be selectively used for daytime purposes and converted to a bed similar to that of FIG. 2 for nighttime use. (See FIG. 15.) As best seen in FIG. 12, the bolster provides storage space for the bedding when not in use.

The bolster itself, as is shown in FIGS. 12, 14, 16 and 17, utilizes a stationary center track 80 to provide support means so that it may stand independently of the convertible couch of FIG. 11. The stationary track 80 is connected to the base member 82 and two diagonal brace members 84 extend between the center track and the base member. As is shown in FIG. 12, the base member 82 has support feet 86 at each end. The stationary center track 80 has a single support foot 88. These three support feet provide a solid three-point support for the bolster member 78. A bolster box 90 is supported from the base member 82 by vertical channels 92 and bolster box support brackets 94 at opposite ends of the base member. The stationary center track 80' has two rollers 96 at the right end of the track, as viewed in FIG. 12. These two rollers 96 are mounted on the track 80- by the roller born 98.

As is best seen in FIG. 13, the module of FIG. 1 is utilized as the basic member of the couch. An optional cloth covering 99 has been placed on the bottom of the module.

A movable center track 100 is bolted to the bottom of the module and casters 101 are provided at the corners of the module member. These casters are supported on the module by corner braces 102 to which corner plates 104 are attached and on which the roller brackets 106 are mounted. The casters themselves are supported in the roller brackets in a known manner. The movable track 10! has a pair of rollers 108 supported by the roller horn 169 which is connected to the track 100.

From the foregoing description of the bolster support means, it is readily apparent, as is best seen in FIG. 15, that the basic module of FIG. 1 is movable, along the stationary track 80, relative to the bolster box 90. The stationary track guides the rollers 108 which are on the track of the basic module. The track 100 of the basic module is also guided by the rollers 96 which are attached to the stationary track 80. When the basic module is moved to the right, as seen in FIG. 15, the two roller members in conjunction with the two track members guide the outward movement of the basic module from the bolster member. With the basic module pulled out to the right, as seen in FIG. 15, the couch of FIG. 11 has been converted to a bed. In this position the bolster member 78 will be separated from the bed. The two side members 76 are utilized as the headboard and footboard of the pulled out modular member. Thus, a bed similar to that shown in FIG. 2 will be formed by the two side members 23 in the basic module of FIG. 1. The basic module of the convertible couch is retained in the position shown in FIG. 15, when it is used as a sofa during the day, by two retaining protuberances 110 and 112 respectively formed in the stationary and movable tracks and positioned for engaging the rollers. When it is desired to move the couch outwardly, sufficient force must be exerted to cause the rollers to ride past the protuberances.

If desired, the bolster may be completely separated from the basic sleeping unit of the convertible couch of FIG. 15. To separate these two members, it is merely necessary to pull the basic module out from the bolster member and to lift the basic module vertically, thereby disengaging the two roller means 96 and 108 from their guide tracks. Since the basic module is supported on its own casters, it can be moved to any desired location separate from the bolster member 78. When so separated, the user will have a bed similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The bolster member 78 will remain, standing by itself, as shown in FIG. 12.

From the foregoing description of the various components of the basic module and the supplemental elements which are to be attached to the basic module, it is apparent that a bed, a sofa, and a convertible couch can be constructed using the same basic module in all three pieces of furniture. The desired piece of furniture may be easily constructed by attaching the corresponding supplemental elements to the basic module. The connection means for all of the supplemental elements are basically the same and compatible with the connection means provided on the module.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made; and it is, therefore, contemplated to cover by the appended claims any such modifications as will fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A furniture module comprising: a box frame including a pair of end boards, a pair of side rails and connecting means joining said boards and said rails in rectangular relationship; rigid frame elements mounted on top edges of said box frame; spring members connected to opposite rigid frame elements spanning said box frame; braces attached to said frame elements to oppose said spring members; an end plate associated with each of said end boards; a lock strap member mounted on each of said end plates and defining a cam-receiving aperture; upright headboard and footboard members disposed respectively at said end plates and having locking plate means secured thereto including a cam slidably engaging said cam-receiving aperture; and progressively engageable means interconnecting said end boards, said end plates and said headboard and footboard members.

2. A furniture module according to claim 1 which further includes an upholstery element on each of said headboard and footboard members overlying exposed portions of said progressively engageable means.

3. A furniture arrangement including a module according to claim 1 and further including bolster means having a stationary floor track, a retaining protuberance upstanding from a position adjacent the mounted end of said track, first roller means mounted adjacent the free end of said track, a guide track connected to said box frame and aligned cooperatively over said floor track, a retaining protuberance depending from said guide track adjacent the forward end thereof to coact with said first roller means, and second roller means mounted on said guide track adjacent the rearward end thereof to coac-t with said upstanding protuberance, whereby to retain said box frame in a couch-use position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,678,088 5/ 1954 Jamison 297-440 X 2,712,137 7/1955 Hunter 5285 X 2,732,889 1/1956 Healey 5285 X 2,938,219 5/1960 Hesselberg 555 X 2,984,533 5/1961 Sunberg 312-342 3,015,532 1/1962 Wilson 312-343 3,069,698 12/1962 Miller 517 3,094,363 6/ 1963 Fremstad et a1. 312-344 X 3,113,325 12/1963 Kamp 517 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner, 

1. A FURNITURE MODULE COMPRISING: A BOX FRAME INCLUDING A PAIR OF END BOARDS, A PAIR OF SIDE RAILS AND CONNECTING MEANS JOINING SAID BOARDS AND SAID RAILS IN RECTANGULAR RELATIONSHIP; RIGID FRAME ELEMENTS MOUNTED ON TOP EDGES OF SAID BOX FRAME; SPRING MEMBERS CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE RIGID FRAME ELEMENTS SPANNING SAID BOX FRAME; BRACES ATTACHED TO SAID FRAME ELEMENTS TO OPPOSE SAID SPRING MEMBERS; AN END PLATE ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF SAID END BOARDS; A LOCK STRAP MEMBER MOUNTED ON EACH OF SAID END PLATES AND DEFINING A CAM-RECEIVING APERTURE; UPRIGHT 